AK in late stages of a NLHE tournament, gets re-raised by Villain (7 Viewers)

[WedgeRock]

Late stages of a $200 buyin, 29-person NLHE home tournament. Three players left, we are on the button.

Hero (button): ~350K in chips
3rd player (SB): ~200K in chips
Villain (BB): ~450K in chips
Blinds (IIRC) were 6K/12K with a 12K BBA. Blind structure is slow after the dinner break, with longer levels. We have been playing ~10 hours at this point.

First place: $2830
Second place: $1650
Third place: $890

Villain is a solid player, more TAG than LAG, but he has gotten caught playing a hand fast in position. A few hands previous, villain raised PF on the button, and hero called. Hero hit TPTK on the flop and checked. Villain bet $50,000 and we check-raise shoved. Villain's actions made it clear that it was just a c-bet, that he had at best a missed draw, and he folded.

In this hand, hero is on the button and finds AK suited and min-clicks to $25K (2xBB). SB folds and BB raises to 50K (4xBB) again.

If we win this hand, we have 70% of the chips in play and a good shot at taking down the tournament, but there is also a $750 ladder up to 2nd place (~4 buyins).

Should hero just flat and take a flop in position? Should hero 4-bet AK to see where he's at? Regardless of your action, what is your plan for future streets?

 

[ChaosRock]

How many players left, Eric? Only the three of you?

 

[WedgeRock]

Yes, three left.

 

[detroitdad]

I'm playing for first place. With that in mind. I am raising the villain. Math is hard, so there is approximately 100k in the pot with his raise. I am re-raising all in. Any standard raise leaves you with too few chips.

As you know, on average I play less than one tourney a month. At best, I consider myself an average tournament player. Take anything that I have to say with a grain of salt

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

With only 3 left, my button range is wide and BB's 3bets should be wider. I need to raise here, I'll be in position going forward and want to build a pot to c-bet at. ICM definitely changes things and I'd fold AJ easily, but very comfortable with the big card energy while 37ish effective.

Is the min-3bet common from him/at this game? Not trying to read too far in but curious.

Is today, "Should we 3bet AK preflop?" day??

 

[WedgeRock]

Math is hard, so there is approximately 100k in the pot with his raise.

SB = 6K
BB + BBA = 24K
Hero raise = 25K
Villain 3-bet = 50K

Pot = 105K with Hero needing to call 25K.

 

[ChaosRock]

Given your stack depth, you cannot 4-bet fold obviously. So it's a decision if you want to play for stacks or not. So, shove or call.

On the fence here. I would normally just shove it but because of the small 3-bet, I might just peel one off... I actually might do the same with AA and KK here in position...

 

[upNdown]

That’s a tiny 3-bet. Is he baiting you? From your description, I’d guess no, but you might know him better.
Anyway, I think I’m moving in here.

 

[WedgeRock]

Is the min-3bet common from him/at this game?

Typical raises at the blind level have been about 35K, but 50K has not been uncommon. However, this was a 3-bet; most 3bets at this stage have been a jam.

 

[detroitdad]

Given your stack depth, you cannot 4-bet fold obviously. So it's a decision if you want to play for stacks or not. So, shove or call.

On the fence here. I would normally just shove it but because of the small 3-bet, I might just peel one off... I actually might do the same with AA and KK here in position...

I never once contemplated a call. That's not a bad plan of attack. I think unless I have a read on the villain, I'm playing for stacks.

 

[ChaosRock]

I never once contemplated a call. That's not a bad plan of attack. I think unless I have a read on the villain, I'm playing for stacks.

I think folding to a min 3-bet after your own min opening is out of the question, right?

But yeah, just throw a 25K in there and hope for an A or K. You're committed with the K though...

Don't hate the shove btw...

 

[WedgeRock]

I think folding to a min 3-bet after a your own min opening is out of the question, right?

Agreed. I am at least seeing a flop.

 

[detroitdad]

I think folding to a min 3-bet after a your own min opening is out of the question, right?

I am never folding in this situation. I don't hate taking the line of flatting here. I think it depends on what you want. Do you want to play a little more cautious and focus on "moving up the pay ladder" or playing for first. Whether I'm right or not (probably usually wrong lol), I always try to make decisions based on taking 1st place.

 

[ChaosRock]

I am never folding in this situation. I don't hate taking the line of flatting here. I think it depends on what you want. Do you want to play a little more cautious and focus on "moving up the pay ladder" or playing for first. Whether I'm right or not (probably usually wrong lol), I always try to make decisions based on taking 1st place.

Same. The only thing is that for a home game, it's not a bad payout and it's a big jump.

In theory, Villain should be folding a LOT if Hero shoves, which is a plus. The issue is I think Villain is folding AQ to a shove here, in other words, Eric would never be way ahead in this spot.

I convinced myself. I think I flat.

 

[WedgeRock]

Poll added.

 

[detroitdad]

Same. The only thing is that for a home game, it's not a bad payout and it's a big jump.

Yep.........I can't help myself. I want to win!

 

[WedgeRock]

First?

 

[ChaosRock]

Do I know any of the Villains?

 

[detroitdad]

First?

I figured "Frist" suited my post better due to my texting capabilities.

 

[detroitdad]

Do I know any of the Villains?

That's a good question. Something else I didn't think about lol

 

[WedgeRock]

Do I know any of the Villains?

Terry (host) was the villain. You don't know the SB, but from what I can gather, he is a solid player, who makes a lot of final tables in that league and cashes a lot.

 

[ChaosRock]

Poll added.

Why private?

 

[detroitdad]

Terry (host) was the villain. You don't know the SB, but from what I can gather, he is a solid player, who makes a lot of final tables in that league and cashes a lot.

Oh, just Terry. He was easy money last month!

 

[ChaosRock]

Terry (host) was the villain. You don't know the SB, but from what I can gather, he is a solid player, who makes a lot of final tables in that league and cashes a lot.

Such a small 3-bet, man... Very fishy... I can see AA or something he would fold to a 4-bet without loosing too much... Having said that, you have a super premium, and there's no folding here.

That makes me more prone to a shove actually... Very, very close between a shove and a call for me... I'm almost changing my mind...

 

[WedgeRock]

Why private?

(Can't correct typo in poll title.)

 

[upNdown]

In theory, Villain should be folding a LOT if Hero shoves

That’s my thinking. TAG, out of position with the chip lead? Guy who likes getting tricky post-flop? He doesn’t need to call off 3/4 of his stack. Take it down here, and even if he was trapping, you’re in decent shape against anything but AA or KK.
I like that better than hoping for a flop.

 

[detroitdad]

That’s my thinking. TAG, out of position with the chip lead? Guy who likes getting tricky post-flop? He doesn’t need to call off 3/4 of his stack. Take it down here, and even if he was trapping, you’re in decent shape against anything but AA or KK.
I like that better than hoping for a flop.

yep!

 

[ChaosRock]

I'm really bad at ICM spots because honestly, I don't give a fuck and want to win... I'm just trying to look from a different perspective.

I'm changing my mind to a shove though. I think taking ICM from the board makes it a must shove...

 

[BPTDirector]

AK turns into two cards if you don’t hit the flop. I’m flatting here, that doesn’t mean I’m not playing for first.

 

[ekricket]

Given your stack depth, you cannot 4-bet fold obviously. So it's a decision if you want to play for stacks or not. So, shove or call.

On the fence here. I would normally just shove it but because of the small 3-bet, I might just peel one off... I actually might do the same with AA and KK here in position...

IMHO, AK is a great bluff catcher and a good drawing hand. But I’m not going home here.

Villain has pocket 9ish pair in my mind. Maybe down to 6’s. I’d rather call and see the flop, shove if he checks to any face cards on the board. If it’s small and I miss I’ll play the bluff as it comes, wary of his either small pair or small kicker that pairs.